Stamped with Love

They’re here! Waiting along the walls, stacked carefully. The paintings, drawings and sculptures have been submitted for the 57^th Annual June Art Exhibition. I do not envy jurors William Mancuso and Melissa Eddings, professors of art at Ohio Northern University who will be judging the exhibit and choose the works that will receive awards. There isn’t anything here that absolutely couldn’t be included in this exhibit. The works are all excellent and we should be extremely proud to have this strong art community in our region.

When you think about the 57 years this art exhibit has been a part of Van Wert, it’s really amazing. This exhibit has been around as long as the Wassenberg Art Center itself and was established as a result of the works of the Van Wert Art Club. I wonder if they had any idea what kind of legacy they were launching? Things will always change around the Wassenberg Art Center, but dedication to lifting up the visual arts, photography, architecture, and preserving our local culture will remain steadfast.

This year the 57^th Annual June Art public opening reception will be on June 8 at 7 p.m. to accommodate Peony Festival activities at our current location. We will be having barbeque, craft beer and wine-tastings and all kinds of great food. The artist award ceremony will be at 8 p.m. and we bring back live music by returning northwest Ohio musician John Reichle. John will be bringing several friends along with him, so be sure to attend and hear some great music. This exhibit will be on display through June 30 and is sponsored by the Van Wert County Foundation, Van Wert Federal Savings Bank and Taylor Auto Sales. Admission is always free.

Images have emerged from our past scrapbooking crop fundraiser. If the photos indicate anything it seems everyone had a great time and won awesome stuff. All proceeds went towards the new Wassenberg Art Center, which is relocating to the Van Wert Armory later this summer. The event was organized and administered by Pamela Purmort, Wassenberg Art Center Board Vice President. Two vendors — Creative Memories and Stampin Up! — were in attendance and provided any needed materials. Thank you to all of you who helped contribute to our project!

The Scrapbook Crop fundraiser is just one of the many contributors to the new Wassenberg Community Art Center at the former Van Wert Armory.

We are extremely grateful for hard-working volunteers, students and residents as well as very generous donors like 1^st Federal Savings & Loan for funding the entrance portal by Delphos sculptor, Michael Bendele. The Wetzel Motorcycle Club provided help towards a sound system that can accommodate a wide range of activities from presentations to rock bands. We thank Van Wert Federal Savings Bank for helping us refurbish and update the original steel strap hinged front doors. The Evergreen Garden Club has contributed funds toward a pond in the veteran memorial area, along with the Up to the Challenge organization, an anonymous donor and Charles and Karen Koch.

We can’t forget the impact of the truly amazing David Humphreys Miller collection donated by former Van Wert resident Robert Brent Stevens. This collection of work, now on long-term loan to the Center, will be the only collected group of Miller’s work in the nation. It has brought a true art museum to Van Wert.

A mere “thank you” seems to fall shallow when we consider all these contributions, but it is the simplest and most sincere way we can show our appreciation.

If you or your organization would like to partner in this exciting and growing effort to create a true community center, give us a call and we can show you all kinds of options.

Classes with our new instructor, Terry Ratliff of Fort Wayne, have been a lot of fun. Bring a bottle of wine and your art supplies and join us. Next week’s class, normally held on Monday, will be held on Tuesday at 6 p.m. due to the Memorial Day holiday, Ratliff is a national-level painter from Fort Wayne and is well-known for his murals at Casa’s, the national chain of Mexican restaurants. Tuesday’s class will explore abstractionism. Materials required are: one or two canvases (under 16x 20) primed in a muted orange, muted mauve, or muted yellow primer, acrylic paint and brushes. Give us a call if you have any questions.  Class fees are: members $30, non-members $35.

We try to have great classes at all times of the day to accommodate schedules.  Coming up soon are:

Even More Classic Watercolors (adult) June 4, 11, 18, 25, 10 a.m.–noon Instructor: Pat Rayman. $35 members, $40 non-members. Sign up early the room is getting packed!
Sgraffito Ceramic Carving (Ages 18 to 130), June 5, 12, 19, 26, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Instructor: Matt Temple. $45 members, $50 non-members.

Summer Studio Camp sign ups are here and going fast especially for the younger crowd. Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 5-7) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27:
10–11:30 a.m. Instructor: Diane Bendele. Youth will study animals in
a myriad of mediums. Explore big and small animals through historical works of
art and create your own lively animals inspired by those drawing and sculptures.
Study the masters and translate shapes into form, using clay, paper
maché, paint and drawing. Exhibit your work at the end of the studio
session. Materials supplied, wear old clothes and bring a paint shirt.
$40 members/$45 non-members.
Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 8 and up) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27: 12:30–2:30 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding exhibits, classes or programs or would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday 1-5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.